International variation in absence from work attributed to musculoskeletal illness: findings from the CUPID study

Abstract

Objectives To quantify the variation in rates of absence for musculoskeletal pain across 47 occupational groups (mostly nurses and office workers) from 18 countries, and to explore personal and group-level risk factors that might explain observed differences. Methods A standardised questionnaire was used to obtain information about musculoskeletal pain, sickness absence and possible risk factors in a cross-sectional survey of 12,416 workers (92 to 1017 per occupational group). In addition, group-level data on socioeconomic variables such as sick pay and unemployment rates were assembled by members of the study team in each country. Associations of sickness absence with risk factors were examined by Poisson regression. Results Overall, there were more than 30-fold differences between occupational groups in the 12-month prevalence of prolonged musculoskeletal sickness absence, and even among office workers carrying out similar occupational tasks, the variation was more than ten-fold. Personal risk factors included older age, lower educational level, tendency to somatise, physical loading at work and prolonged absence for non-musculoskeletal illness. However, these explained little of the variation between occupational groups. After adjustment for individual characteristics, prolonged musculoskeletal sickness absence was more frequent in groups with greater time pressure at work, lower job control, and more adverse beliefs about the work-relatedness of musculoskeletal disorders. Conclusions Musculoskeletal sickness absence might be reduced by eliminating excessive time pressures in work, maximising employees’ responsibility and control, and providing flexibility of duties for those with disabling symptoms. Care should be taken not to overstate work as a cause of musculoskeletal injury.

O absente�smo entre os trabalhadores de sa�de de um hospital p�blico do sul do Brasil

“…Os índices de absenteísmo são perturbadores e elevados, como exemplo, o custo anual do absenteísmo para economia nacional do Reino Unido foi estimado em cerca de 1,5 bilhões de libras em 2013 (6) . No Brasil, estudo desenvolvido com trabalhadores de enfermagem de um único hospital de São Paulo em 2008 evidenciou que o absenteísmo-doença custou à instituição empregadora o equivalente a R$ 389.817,76 referentes aos 2538 dias de ausências em um ano.…”

Saúde dos trabalhadores de enfermagem e a segurança do paciente: o olhar de gerentes de enfermagem*

“…Furthermore, the interests of those involved in the health sector compete with each other, often hindering the implementation of these efforts, namely: satisfaction of the users with their needs and expectations, workers who seek appropriate working conditions, institutions themselves and suppliers (1) . Concerning workers health, the national and international literature demonstrates that the incapability to work due to health-related harms is a global problem, with considerable socioeconomic cost and psychosocial impairment (2)(3)(4)(5) . This reality focuses directly on health services, since the technological advancement and the search for excellence in health care quality, allied to increased productivity and cost reduction, are relevant factors that have markedly influenced the morbidity profile of their workers (6) .…”

Stress, Visual and Musculoskeletal Complaints in Open Plan Office Staff

“…The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and prolonged musculoskeletal sickness absence varies widely among working population, and even among offi ce workers carrying out similar occupational tasks [1]. Despite the good quality of the monitors and work place organization, the visual complaints were related mainly to the fl ickering, blinks on the screen of the monitor and overtime.…”

“…The complaints in the region of the back are linked mainly to work posture, nonergonomic work organization, inadequate duration and problems in organization of the work tasks [13], while the ones in the region of the neck -with non-ergonomic work posture, the presence of uncorrected refractional abnormalities, and strain [9]. Prolonged musculoskeletal sickness absence was found to be more frequent in groups with greater time pressure at work, lower job control and more adverse beliefs about the work-relatedness of musculoskeletal disorders [1].…”